1-Step 1: Boil the Water Begin by bringing 2 cups of water to a boil in a small pot. Use fresh, cold water rather than previously boiled water for the best flavor extraction. While you wait for the water to heat, take a moment to prepare your ginger if you haven’t already done so. Peel a thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger root using the edge of a spoon or a vegetable peeler, then grate it finely or mince it into small pieces. The smaller the pieces, the more surface area is exposed, allowing the ginger flavor to infuse more completely into your tea.

2-Step 2: Steep Tea and Ginger Once your water reaches a rolling boil, remove the pot from the heat source. This is an important detail you want to steep the tea off the heat to prevent over-extraction, which can lead to bitterness. Add your 2 black tea bags (or 1 tablespoon of loose tea leaves) along with the prepared fresh ginger to the hot water. If you’re using sugar instead of sweetened condensed milk, add it now so it dissolves completely during the steeping process. Cover the pot and let the mixture steep for a full 10 minutes. This resting period allows the ginger’s essential oils and the tea’s flavors to fully develop and meld together.

3-Step 3: Add the Milk After the steeping time is complete, stir in ½ cup of evaporated milk and 2 to 3 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk. The evaporated milk provides richness and body, while the condensed milk adds sweetness and an extra layer of creamy indulgence. Start with 2 tablespoons of condensed milk, taste, and add more if you prefer a sweeter drink. Give everything a gentle stir to combine the ingredients thoroughly.

4-Step 4: Strain and Serve Strain the tea into two serving cups using a fine-mesh strainer. This removes the ginger pieces and tea leaves, leaving you with a smooth, silky beverage. Here’s a crucial tip: avoid squeezing the tea bags when removing them. Squeezing can release bitter tannins into your drink and may cause the bags to break, leaving unwanted tea particles floating in your cup. Simply lift them out gently and let them drain naturally.

5-Step 5: Enjoy Your Creation Your Chinese ginger milk tea is now ready to enjoy! Serve it hot for maximum comfort on cold days, or let it cool and pour it over ice for a refreshing warm-weather treat. The choice is yours, and both versions are equally delicious in their own way.